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Discussion 1 : 07/09/2012 at 04:11 AM

This doesn't pass the logic test. In a country where unemployment is less than 1% you typically have rapid, uncontrolled wage inflation as producers compete for scarce labor. So where are the government's proud figures of soaring salaries? The answer is likely the methodology for calculating "unemployment". (A methodology which produces an intentionally, politically-palatable low unemployment rate).

Discussion 2 : 06/09/2012 at 11:59 AM

Unemployment rate is so slow because a big group of Thais don't work or even seek work. They just stay home or on their farm doing nothing. This is why there is a shortage of workers in all fields. I doubt it is less than 1%. Either way if they show how many citizens are non-workers (not working, not seeking a job) that percentage will be very high.

Discussion 3 : 06/09/2012 at 07:25 AM

If you define unemployment as somebody that is incapable, or not currently performing any kind of effort in return for money, then the figure of 0.92% is probably pretty accurate. Don't forget that in Thailand, even if no money is involved, a foreigner must have a work permit in order to perform any action that requires effort, which is the labour department's definition of work. I have to decline requests to help people improve their English because I no longer have a work permit, and don't want to risk deportation...........

Discussion 4 : 06/09/2012 at 05:52 AM

one factor i don't see mentioned is in Thailand they are usually not interested in employing people over 50 yrs old. how many over 50 would like to work but can't so they have to resort to other means to support themselves, like the food stalls.

Discussion 5 : 06/09/2012 at 03:39 AM

0.9% unemployment seems unrealistically low, and if so would suggest this country is facing a manpower shortage crisis and should be implementing measures to allow foreigners in. English teachers is a case in point, since they make more and more difficult for foreigners to get teaching licences. The high number of unemployment graduates could be because no one thinks these inexperienced cherubs are worth the minimum 15k salaries the govt wants to set. Above all, even with a 2% unemployment rate you do have a strong platform to unionise and start demanding real wages for the blue collar workforce. And that must come from the bottom up, it can't be forced by legislation in a market driven labour environment. Of course that's not what the capitalistic policy makers in parliament are interested in.

Discussion 6 : 05/09/2012 at 11:20 PM

For those bickering about what constitutes unemployment, you may be interested in this very recent 27/7 Wall Street article: "Nine Countries Where Everyone Has A Job" (link given at the end of my post). It cites the World Bank as claiming that Thailand had a 2011 unemployment rate below 2%. It cautions that comparing unemployment rates between developed and developing countries is very problematic because of the different way that people are classified as "employed". In Thailand, certainly a significant percentage of the "employed" are eking-out a meager existence on subsistence farming, or by selling 30 baht bowls of soup ten hours per day. So while an unemployment rate like 2% sounds superficially great, it turns out that it's really just the silver lining in an otherwise dark could. http://247wallst.com/2012/04/25/nine-countries-where-unemployment-does-not-exist/2/

Discussion 7 : 05/09/2012 at 09:10 PM

"a total of 58,805 teachers are needed to fill the vacancies in schools across the country." One does not just become a teacher. It takes considerable specialised training. The former teacher colleges were doing a good job of filling the demand, but they have been turned into rajabhat universities and teacher training is now downplayed. We are seeing the result. Also, a teacher's salary is not going to attract very many people these days either. I knew a young mathematics teacher with an MS degree who quit because he was having trouble supporting his family on little more than 10,000 baht a month.

Discussion 8 : 05/09/2012 at 08:23 PM

This really frosts my shorts. A population of hundreds - possibly thousands of native English speakers in the country is an enormous resource that can't be tapped because of what, foolish pride? Legal technicalities? The country is sitting on a gold mine mine of potential teachers.

Discussion 9 : 05/09/2012 at 07:34 PM

Disc 1 and 2. Looking at your comments, you guys are clearly the proud products of a western education system. Could either of you two enlighten us lesser people as to how Thailand actually arrives at its unemployment numbers, or does it really take figures from the sky as you say? FYI Disc 2, the Education Minister is Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech, a him.

Discussion 10 : 05/09/2012 at 06:54 PM

1. Never believe Thai Government when they use numbers that are never verified. 2. Why not use retired expats for teachers? Oh, yeah, cannot. Retired expats cannot work or volunteer if on a Non-Immigrant O-A visa.

Discussion 11 : 05/09/2012 at 06:27 PM

re: D1. I think the number might be 9.2 % but I do not think any country in the world is less than 1%. In reality, I would guess the 9.2 number is still not credible.

Discussion 12 : 05/09/2012 at 05:13 PM

Re #1 You are right. They wouldn't have a clue how many are unemployed. Unless you have a proper social security system where people register for benefits while looking for a job, the figures quotes are plucked out of the air! Re: Teachers 58805 vacancies & the civil service commission is giving them 3913 No surprises that that Thai kids get a third rate education. Sack the Education Minister & replace him/her with someone who has an interest in the future of Thai kids!!!!!!!

Discussion 13 : 05/09/2012 at 04:20 PM

Does anyone actually believe that the unemployment rate in Thailand is 0.92%? Somebody, somewhere, has a very defective calculator!!!!